Famous African Americans

Willie Mays (1931–2024), all-time baseball legend

Willie Mays was a legendary MLB outfielder who played most of his career for the New York/San Francisco Giants. He was often called the greatest baseball player of all time.

Louis Gossett Jr. (1936–2024), award-winning star of Roots

Louis Gossett Jr. was the Oscar- and Emmy-winning star of such movies and TV series as “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Roots.” 

Keith Jefferson (1970–2023), Django Unchained actor

Keith Jefferson was an actorbest known for his roles in three consecutive Quentin Tarantino movies: Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

DJ Casper (1965–2023), creator of Cha Cha Slide

Willie Perry Jr., better known as DJ Casper, was a Chicago disc jockey and songwriter best known as the creator of the party favorite “Cha Cha Slide.” 

Clifton Oliver (1975–2023), starred in The Lion King onstage

Clifton Oliver was a popular Broadway actor who appeared in such hits as “The Lion King” and the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical “In the Heights.”

Helen Washington (1944–2023), dancer with Isaac Hayes

Helen Washington was a dancer known for her shaved head and her iconic work with on tour and in memorable photos.

Greg Foster (1958–2023), world champion hurdler 

Greg Foster was an American hurdler. He is the only person to win three consecutive World Championship titles in the sport.

Nichelle Nichols (1932–2022), starred as Uhura on “Star Trek”

Nichelle Nichols , the actress whose portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura on TV's “Star Trek” inspired countless science fiction fans to envision a peacefully multicultural future, died Saturday night, her son announced on her official website.

Taurean Blacque (1940–2022), "Hill Street Blues" costar

Taurean Blacque was an actor best known for his role as Detective Neal Washington on the acclaimed 1980s police drama "Hill Street Blues."

Lawrence Brooks (1909–2022), oldest US World War II veteran

Lawrence Brooks was the oldest known living US World War II veteran.

Watch Legacy's Heartfelt Tribute to the Celebs Who Died in 2021

We had to say goodbye to so many people in 2021 -- more than usual, both in our communities and in the headlines. In Legacy's memorial video, we pay tribute to the beloved artists, leaders, and other well-known public figures who died in 2021.

Melvin Van Peebles (1932–2021), influential actor and filmmaker

Melvin Van Peebles was an actor and filmmaker best known for his influential 1971 film, “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.”

Anthony “A.J.” Johnson (1966–2021), actor known for “Friday,” “House Party”

Anthony “A.J.” Johnson was an actor and comedian known for roles in movies including “Friday” and “House Party.”

Cicely Tyson (1924–2021), award-winning star of “Sounder,” “The Help”

Cicely Tyson, the award-winning actress whose film, television, and theater roles included “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” “Roots,” "King," "Sounder," and “The Help,” died Thursday, her family announced.

Discover the legacies of the Challenger astronauts

On January 28, 1986, Americans turned on their TVs to watch the launch of Space Shuttle Challenger. The shuttle’s flight would turn out to be heartbreakingly brief before tragedy struck. Seventy-three seconds into the Challenger’s flight, the shuttle exploded. All seven astronauts on board were killed.

Eric Jerome Dickey (1961–2021), bestselling author

Eric Jerome Dickey was a bestselling author whose work depicted modern black life.

Floyd Little (1942–2021), Denver Broncos legend

Floyd Little was a legendary running back for the Denver Broncos and a five-time Pro Bowler.

K.C. Jones (1932–2020), Celtics legend

K.C. Jones was the steady point guard for the Boston Celtics who helped lead the team to eight NBA titles as a player and then two more as the head coach.

Negro League Stars

We take a look back at the stars of the Negro Leagues and their incredible achievements on and off the baseball diamond.

Charley Pride (1934–2020), country music legend

Charley Pride was the pioneering country music superstar who had 30 number one hits on the country music charts.

Rafer Johnson (1934–2020), Olympic decathlon legend

Rafer Johnson won the decathlon gold medal at the 1960 Olympic games in Rome and was the first Black American to be the flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic team.

David Dinkins (1927–2020), NYC’s only Black mayor

David Dinkins was the first and, to date, only Black mayor of New York City.

Bert Belasco (1982–2020), star of BET’s “Let’s Stay Together”

Bert Belasco was an actor best known for his starring role in the BET series “Let’s Stay Together.”

Johnny Nash (1940–2020), ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ singer

Johnny Nash was a singer best known for his No. 1 hit song “I Can See Clearly Now” in 1972.

Gale Sayers (1943–2020), Hall of Fame running back with the Chicago Bears

Gale Sayers was a Pro Football Hall of Fame running back who was a Chicago Bears legend, playing for the team from 1965 to 1971.

Stanley Crouch (1945–2020), cultural critic and author

Stanley Crouch was an author and cultural critic known for his jazz criticism as well as for his biography of Charlie Parker.

Jimi Hendrix Died 50 Years Ago—Here Are His Greatest Performances

Jimi Hendrix didn't invent playing the electric guitar, but he took it to a level not seen before — and arguably never duplicated since his passing from a drug overdose on September 18, 1970, at only 27 years old. He was also a tremendous songwriter who created timeless rock classics, though he only released three studio albums. His live performances were legendary, and his "Star Spangled Banner" at the Woodstock festival is one of the most iconic concert moments in rock history. Here are ten of Jimi Hendrix's greatest songs:

Lou Brock (1939–2020), St. Louis Cardinals legend

Lou Brock was a legendary outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals known for his base stealing that led the Cardinals to two World Series victories.  

John Thompson (1941–2020), legendary Georgetown basketball coach

John Thompson wasthelegendary former head basketball coach atGeorgetownUniversitywho was the first black head coach to win the NCAA men's basketball championship when he led Georgetown to a win in 1984.

Clifford Robinson (1966–2020), NBA star with the Portland Trail Blazers

Clifford Robinson was a basketball player best known for his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, having helped lead the team to two NBA Finals appearances.

Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020), star of Black Panther

Chadwick Boseman, the actor who starred as T'Challa in "Black Panther," Jackie Robinson in "42," and Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall," died at his home in Los Angeles, his family .

Raymond Allen (1929–2020), “Sanford and Son” actor

Raymond Allen was a popular TV who starred as Uncle Woody on “Sanford and Son” and Ned the Wino on “Good Times.”   

Jordan Groggs (1988–2020), rapper with Injury Reserve

Jordan Groggs , also known as Stepa J. Groggs, was a rapper with the Arizona hip hop group Injury Reserve.

Freddy Cole (1931–2020), Grammy-nominated jazz singer and pianist

Freddy Cole was a jazz singer and pianist who was nominated for several Grammy Awards, including in 2019 for Best Jazz Vocal Album. He was Nat King Cole’s younger brother.

Huey (Lawrence Franks Jr.) (1989–2020), rapper known for “Pop, Lock & Drop It”

Huey was a rapper from St. Louis known for his 2006 top ten hit “Pop, Lock & Drop It”

Tray Savage (1993–2020), Chicago rapper

Tray Savage, born Kentray Young, was a Chicago-based rapper who was signed to Chief Keef’s Glo Gang record label. He was featured on tracks by Chief Keef and released his first mixtape, “Brain Dead,” in 2013. He had since released several singles. His songs and verses described gang violence and life on Chicago’s South Side.

Bobby Lewis (1925–2020), “Tossin’ and Turnin’” singer

Bobby Lewis was an R&B singer who had a No. 1 hit in 1961 with “Tossin’ and Turnin’.”

Bonnie Pointer (1950–2020), Pointer Sisters singer

Bonnie Pointerstarted the legendary R&B group The Pointer Sisters with her sisters June and Anita in 1969. She left the group in 1977 for a solo career.

Ken Riley (1947–2020), legendary Bengals cornerback

Ken Riley is a legendary former cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals who is No. 5 all-time in NFL interceptions.

Wes Unseld (1946–2020), legendary Washington Bullets center

Wes Unseld was a legendary Hall of Fame center for the Washington Bullets who was one of only two players in NBA history to win rookie of the year and MVP in the same season.

Shad Gaspard (1981–2020), former WWE star

Shad Gaspardwas a former WWE star who was a member of the tag teamCrymeTyme.

Gregory Tyree Boyce (2020), “Twilight” actor

Gregory Tyree Boyce was an actor best known for playing Tyler Crowley in the 2008 movie “Twilight.” The movie was the first in a series of films based on novels written by Stephenie Meyer.

Little Richard (1932–2020), one of the founding fathers of rock & roll

Little Richard, the flamboyant father of rock ‘n’ roll whose “Tutti Frutti” changed the world, died Saturday at the age of 87.

Troy Sneed (1967–2020), Grammy-nominated gospel singer

Troy Sneedwasan acclaimed gospel musicartistwho reached No. 2 on the gospel charts with hishit song My Heart Says Yes.

Hamilton Bohannon (1942–2020), disco legend known for “Let’s Start the Dance”

Hamilton Bohannon was a disco bandleader and percussionist who recorded as Bohannon, with hit singles including “Let’s Start the Dance” and “Foot Stompin’ Music.”

Fred the Godson (1985–2020), Bronx rapper

Fred the Godson was a rapper from the South Bronx who was named to XXL Magazine’s 2011 freshman class along with Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar.

Chynna Rogers (1994–2020), rapper and model

Chynna Rogerswas a model with the Ford Agency and a rising rap artist associated with A$AP Mob.

Timmy Brown (1937–2020), legendary Philadelphia Eagles running back

Timmy Brown was a star running backand kickreturnerfor the Philadelphia Eagles.He led the NFL in all-purpose yardsin 1962 and 1963.

Bill Withers (1938–2020), legendary soul singer & songwriter

Bill Withers was a legendary and musician known for the hit songs “Lean on Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and “Use Me.”